I just got back my results on the English Comp w/Essay. I got a 46. You need a 50 to pass. Sheesh. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. Funny thing is, I knew the material really well. I did very well on all the practice tests I took. I studied the official clep guide as well as the Princeton guide. My local college even advised me to CLEP english comp due to my high placement score on the english portion of their placement test. The questions were not hard. I think the essay is what got me. I didn't think my essay was all that great. It wasn't that bad either (at least I didn't think so). I was later informed via the clep.com site that the essay counts as HALF your grade. Maybe an 'essay nazi' graded my essay? So what do you guys think? Should I take it again and hope that someone less forgiving grades the essay? Should I just bite the bullet and take the two classes english comp classes? I have approximately 80+ semester hours now and I'm somewhat anxious to finish. The 6 hours that clep test would have given me would've been great. Let me know what you think.
Ouch. By trying again, you stand to lose around $50 and a few hours of your time. Weigh that against two semesters "in the seat," plus however many hundreds in tuition, fees, and books. I wouldn't see much of a debate, if your first score was that close.
I think you should study seriously for your weakest area which sounds like the essay portion. I think you should plan on as tough or tougher grading and prepare yourself accordingly. For me it would be no contest that the test would be the most efficent way. If on the other hand you believe the classes would prepare you better and more efficently then take that route.
Greetings. I am truly sorry you didn't succeed on your recent CLEP English w/essay exam. But, then again, maybe you did. While you didn't come away with any college credit, you discovered that you need to work on your English composition ability. Being a clever bastard, I didn't need the CLEP exam to tell me I needed (and need) some work on my English (although I did pass the test, sorry!). That's why I signed up for the not for credit NC 55 English Grammar Review at LSU. While I'm sure you probably don't need to work on your grammar, maybe a real English comp. class wouldn't hurt? Mine starts next week, if all goes well. Cordially, Richard Kanarek
You may want to consider taking the Freshman English Composition with Essay instead. The relevant difference for you is that the essay is graded by your school, rather than by College Board scorers, as the General English Composition with Essay. Maybe this would help, maybe not, but in any case it allows you to take another exam without having to wait 6 months. It's worth a try, just read the advice in the Princton Review book, and practice writing some timed essays.
Just thought I'd let everyone know that I decided to take the English Comp w/Essay again. I took the test about three weeks ago. Just got my grade in today and I passed! Thanks for the support.
